cisselt posted on January 07, 2011 15:52
More Home Fires Strike in December
Red Cross Assistance Nears $140,000 through the holiday fire season
122 families and 414 People Helped in December
50 families and 161 People Helped in November
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 5, 2011: American Red Cross volunteers continue to respond to home fires that occurred through the month of December, making the holidays their busiest season. Home fires typically increase during the winter months and reach their peak around the Christmas holiday. The incidents occurring in December in our 15 county area of central North Carolina was 116, with 414 people, more than 100 families, losing their homes. For the Red Cross to provide immediate help with new clothing, groceries and shelter, the cost in December alone was nearly $90,000 bringing the Red Cross disaster assistance this holiday season to $140,000.
The Red Cross provides direct financial assistance to families in the form of funds for groceries, temporary lodging, new clothing, possibly rental assistance at a new residence, and medical needs.
When home fires displace families, the Red Cross is there to help. “This is the worst possible time for families to lose their homes to fire. Unfortunately, in our area, it is the time of year a family is more likely to need our help, because they did lose their home to fire.” says Barry Porter, Regional Executive for the Red Cross. “Homelessness suddenly becomes real to a family when it is least expected. Thankfully, the Red Cross can respond to their needs, because donors give generously, so we can provide help and hope.”
To spread Porter’s message, on Saturday, January 15, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day, the Triangle Area Chapter will be teaming up with Hope Worldwide to go door-to-door in the community to educate people on fire safety. Barry Porter explains the importance of knowing how to be prepared for home fires. “The American Red Cross responds to over 170 house fires every day. Although fires can affect anyone, everyone can be prepared by knowing how to prevent fires and respond to home fires if they do occur. Practicing safe cooking and heating procedures, installing and maintaining smoke alarms and having a fire escape plan are a few of the steps families can take to get prepared.”
Triangle Residents can stay safe by following a few simple steps. The Red Cross provides safety tips at TriangleRedCross.org/prepare.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.triangleredcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Stay safe during the winter season at http://triangleredcross/prepare
Red Cross Contacts:
Triangle Area Chapter
100 Peartree Lane
Raleigh, NC 27610
www.TriangleRedCross.org
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